West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-12-02
THE QUEENS TRAIN.
PRECAUTIONS OBSERVED WHEN
VICTORIA is ON THE ROAD.

! Regulations for Her NTajesty's Journey.
Everything Brought to a Standstill.
! Speeding Across England In Strict
Privacy-The Royal Carriages
! The English press, in referring to the ex-
traordinary precautions observed in connec-
ton with the present journey Of the car to
the Don Cossack country, comment on the
unfortunate state of affairs in Russia which
renders the adoption of such measures neces-
sary
From this it would appear that they are ig-
norant of the fact that almost identical regu-
ations are in force whenever Queen Victoria
travels through any part Of her dominions'
no matter whether it be from Osborne 10
Balmoral or from Windsor to London. In
deed, the precautions for her safety are very
elaborate, and will surprise most people.
The regulations for her majesty's journey
fill several foolscap pages, including the time
tables, which occupy two pages. The times
of departure and arrival having been men.
toned, and the metals on which the train VIII
travel specified, the regulations provide:
l. For pilot engine, accompanied by the
locomotive superintendent of the particular
district Travelled over, and by guard, with
lamps, flags and fog signals. The engine
precedes the royal train at uniform rate OF
speed, and is always fifteen minutes in ad-
vance of it.
q The drivers and firemen, as well as the
engines for the royal train, are specially
selected. Telegraph men accompany the
train under superintendent, and brakemen,
filters, lampmen and greasers travel in the
train all the way, keeping constant watch.
At stopping places they must alight and ex-
anime the train and grease the axle boxes
s. A lookout is placed on the tender OF the
engine, and, seated with his face toward the
engine, observes any signal that may be given
by the occupants. This position is by no
means an enviable one, as may be imagined,
particularly at night, when moro than ordi-
nary vigilance is required.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS.
The above are q few of the precautions
which the railroad companies adopt to secure
! her majestys safety, and her comfort is no
less carefully studied. For thirty minutes
! previous to the queens coming, no train, not
even light engine by which is meant an en-
! CINE without carriages attached, or any kind
of vehicle is permitted to proceed upon or
/ cross the main line, the pilot engine alone ex-
/ cepted. Not only are oil these regulations
enforced on the down line, but on the up line
also it is commanded that drivers must reduce
their speed to ten miles an hour and on no
account open the whistle when passing her
majesty's train. Furthermore, no passenger
trains are permitted to arrive or even pass
through the stations while the queens train is
stopping at such stations for refreshments, or
to change engines.
The passengers arriving at Perth after
travelling all night are frequently detained
for over an hour on siding outside the depot
while the queen is brsakfastiRg, befora- thay
are allowed to alight. Not only are these
rules expected to be, and are, strictly con-
formed to, but all goods trains are examined
to see if anything is projecting which might
strike the royal train. No driver is permitted
to allow his engine to blow off steam or to
! permit any smoke to escape, or to whistle
while on O siding near the queen, or while she
is passing The facing and other points are
properly secured and bo!ted before the royal
train passes; the gates or level crossings,
where there are no gate keepers, are locked
an hour before the queen comes; and long
line of plate layers are stationed at stated in
tervais within hail of one another, like q row
of sentries, to guard the permanent way.
Special telegraphic signals are employed.
! The public are excluded from the stations,
and the servants of the company must per-
form their duties silently and without noise.
TRAVELLING IN SILENCE
! In this luxurious and eminently peaceful
manner in as strict privacy as if in her own
apartments, does the queen speed across Eng
land by day or night. While she is sleeping
or tossing in bed, while the moon shines or the
thunder rattles, through a calm or storm, the
royal train continues its uner1ing way in the
darkness and almost in silence. A monster
engine rushes by-fifteen minutes afterward
! the lights of the queens train flash past, and
/ then. after O pause, the hand Of discipline Is
partly relaxed Locomotives run off on err
rands to reclaim wandering carriages, goods
engines snort and sDeeze again, facing points
ere left as usual, gates are unlocked, the plate
| LAYERS return to bed, station masters turn in
! and leave the platform to the porters and the
stars. the servants of the railroad company
once again revel in banging milk cans and
! luggage about with their ordinary disregard
/ for other peoples property. Brakemen of
/ goods trains get into their vans, and appar-
entity don't care whether anything projects
or not; express drivers rush by whistling in
! their regained freedom. The royal train has
passed. The line assumes its normal condi-
/ ton. Just as the arrival Of the prince started
/ the sleeping palace into life, so is the depart
/ ure of the queen tho signal for the resump-
| ton OF the hustle and noise and turmoil
which her presence or her approach had mes
merized into silence and restfulness.
/ The queens saloons ere in the center of the
! train, and these commcdious carriages, fitted
for day or night travelling, her majesty occu-
/ pies with Princess Beatrice.
! There are two beds in the sleeping apart
ment which opens from the day saloon. The
beds are simple, matching the green and gilt
! furniture and fittings, and are something like
elaborate cots in shape; and generally the in
terror fittings of the train leave nothing TO be
! desired The floors are carpeted, the ceilings
/ padded, the wide windows curtained and the
lamps deeply shaded. Electric bells commu-
nicate with the attendants or the officials,
and by pressing button at the end Of long
variegated cord or bell pull, the alarm is
sounded in the guards van. A separate
! electric button is fixed in each side of the
sleeping apartment, by winch the attendants
may be summoned; another button, when
pressed, will cause the train to stop as quickly
as may be.
The usual furniture is comfortable but
| simple. There are hooks and racks for par
| GELS, wraps, bird cages and small bundles. oi
4 which the queen and the princess convey q
goodly supply.-New York Sun.
A Curious Breed of HOGS.